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Unit 7 Overview: West and Central Asian Art, 500 BCE-1980 CE

3 min readjanuary 23, 2023

Charly Castillo

Charly Castillo

Minna Chow

Minna Chow

Charly Castillo

Charly Castillo

Minna Chow

Minna Chow

Information taken from the AP Art History Course and Exam Description

Welcome to Unit 7: , 500 BCE-1980 CE.

Unit 7 may be one of the shortest units in AP Art History at 11 required works, but it still packs a mighty punch! The works from are incredibly diverse in media 🎨 (materials used to create a work), function, and pretty much every other identifier, which is why so many AP Art History students enjoy this part of the course.

So, now that you're all excited to take a look at this unit, let's begin with the history of it, and then briefly summarize the works you'll need to know.

Contextualization (AKA Historical Background)

Because of 's location along trade routes like the (pictured below ⬇️), travelers from different areas could easily spread their religions, cultures, and traditions to the region 🗺️ during their journeys. The native people of would combine what they had been exposed to by these travelers with their preexisting traditions in a process known as .

This fusion is evident in the art of this unit, which is influenced by the region's exposure to , Mahayana (one of the branches of Buddhism), the , and even ancient . These concepts were no longer exclusive to a specific geographical area like the Arabian Peninsula, but could now be found in places like the Persian and Tibetan Empires in their own unique forms.

As a result of all these different influences, the art pieces we'll be studying in this unit will be quite different from each other in terms of religious influence, artistic influence, patron and context. , for example, takes inspiration from Chinese art, while The Basin (Baptistière de Saint Louis) gets its name from the European court it was used in. The diversity of influences on this region also leads the works from this time to have a diverse range of media, or materials used to create an artwork. In this unit, we'll see everything from massive statues to woven carpets.

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2F-SxMPYIzWhns3.JPG?alt=media&token=c88531f9-213c-4627-9423-3f3c5a2f0746

Image Courtesy of Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0). The extent of the Silk Road.

Summary of the Works

ArtLocationFormDate
, JordanCut rockc. 400 BCE-100 CE
Bamiyan, AfghanistanCut rock with plaster and paint400-800, destroyed in 2001
Mecca, Saudi ArabiaGranite covered in silk, gold, and silver631-632
Lhasa, TibetGilt metal with stones and paint641
Jerusalem, IsraelStone and wood decorated with ceramic and mosaics691-692
Great Mosque (Masjid-e Jameh)Isfahan, IranBrick, plaster, wood, and ceramic tile700-17th century
Possibly Syria or IraqInk and gold on parchment8th-9th century
Basin (Baptistière de Saint Louis)Either Syria or EgyptBrass inlaid with gold and silver1320-1340
Tabriz, IranInk and watercolorc. 1310-1340
Tabriz, IranInk, watercolor, and gold on paper1522-1525
The Ardabil CarpetProbably in Tabriz, IranSilk on wood1539-1540

And that's Unit 7! Hopefully, this guide will come in handy as you go through the AP Art History course, which, by the way, you're already 70% through 🎉. Happy studying, art historians!

Key Terms to Review (20)

Arabic language

: Arabic is a Semitic language spoken by millions across North Africa, Western Asia, and other regions. It has a rich literary tradition and serves as both a religious language (in Islam) and an official language in many countries.

Bahram Gur Fights the Karg

: This term refers to a famous scene depicted in Persian miniature painting where Bahram Gur, a legendary king, battles against a mythical creature called the Karg. The painting showcases the heroism and bravery of Bahram Gur.

Buddhas of Bamiyan

: Giant statues of Buddha that were carved into cliffs in central Afghanistan during the 6th century. Sadly, they were destroyed by the Taliban in 2001.

Cultural Exchange

: Cultural exchange refers to the sharing and blending of ideas, customs, traditions, art forms, and other aspects between different cultures through interaction and communication.

Dome of the Rock

: The Dome of the Rock is an Islamic shrine located on Temple Mount in Jerusalem. It is one of the oldest surviving examples of Islamic architecture and is significant to both Muslims and Jews.

Folio from a Qur'an

: A folio from a Qur'an refers to a single page of the Islamic holy book, which is typically written in Arabic calligraphy and decorated with intricate designs or illuminations.

Great Mosque (Masjid-e Jameh)

: The Great Mosque, also known as Masjid-e Jameh, is a historical mosque located in Isfahan, Iran. It is one of the oldest and largest mosques in Iran and showcases various architectural styles.

Greek culture

: Greek culture refers to the customs, traditions, and achievements of the ancient Greeks. It encompasses their art, architecture, philosophy, literature, and political systems.

Islam

: Islam is a monotheistic religion founded by the Prophet Muhammad in the 7th century CE. It is based on the belief in one God (Allah) and follows the teachings of the Quran, which Muslims consider to be the word of God revealed to Muhammad.

Jowo Rinpoche

: Jowo Rinpoche is a revered statue of the Buddha Shakyamuni located in the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, Tibet. It is considered one of the most sacred and important religious icons in Tibetan Buddhism.

Mahayana Buddhism

: Mahayana Buddhism is one of the major branches of Buddhism, originating in India around the 1st century BCE. It emphasizes compassion and the belief in multiple Buddhas and bodhisattvas who guide individuals towards enlightenment.

Persian Empire

: The Persian Empire was a vast empire that existed from approximately 550 BCE to 330 BCE. It encompassed territories in present-day Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Turkey, and parts of Central Asia.

Petra

: An ancient city located in present-day Jordan, known for its impressive rock-cut architecture and intricate water management system.

Silk Road

: The term "Silk Road" is often used interchangeably with "Silk Route." It refers to the historical trade routes connecting Asia with Europe through Central Asia. These routes were crucial for economic, cultural, and technological exchanges between different civilizations.

Syncretism

: Syncretism refers to the blending or merging of different cultural or artistic traditions, resulting in a new and unique combination. It often occurs when two or more cultures come into contact and exchange ideas, leading to the creation of something that incorporates elements from each culture.

The Basin (Baptistère de Saint Louis)

: The Basin, also known as Baptistère de Saint Louis, is a medieval Islamic brass basin used for ceremonial purposes. It features intricate engravings depicting hunting scenes and courtly activities.

The Court of Gayumars

: The Court of Gayumars is a famous Persian miniature painting from the Shahnameh, an epic poem. It depicts the mythical first king of Iran, Gayumars, surrounded by his courtiers and animals in a lush landscape.

The Kaaba

: The Kaaba is a sacred building located in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is considered the holiest site in Islam and serves as the direction of prayer (qibla) for Muslims around the world.

Tibetan Empire

: The Tibetan Empire was a powerful empire that existed from the 7th to the 9th century CE in what is now Tibet and parts of China, Nepal, Bhutan, and India. It played a significant role in spreading Buddhism throughout the region.

West and Central Asia

: West and Central Asia refers to the region that encompasses countries such as Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan. It is known for its rich cultural heritage, including diverse art forms and architectural styles.

Unit 7 Overview: West and Central Asian Art, 500 BCE-1980 CE

3 min readjanuary 23, 2023

Charly Castillo

Charly Castillo

Minna Chow

Minna Chow

Charly Castillo

Charly Castillo

Minna Chow

Minna Chow

Information taken from the AP Art History Course and Exam Description

Welcome to Unit 7: , 500 BCE-1980 CE.

Unit 7 may be one of the shortest units in AP Art History at 11 required works, but it still packs a mighty punch! The works from are incredibly diverse in media 🎨 (materials used to create a work), function, and pretty much every other identifier, which is why so many AP Art History students enjoy this part of the course.

So, now that you're all excited to take a look at this unit, let's begin with the history of it, and then briefly summarize the works you'll need to know.

Contextualization (AKA Historical Background)

Because of 's location along trade routes like the (pictured below ⬇️), travelers from different areas could easily spread their religions, cultures, and traditions to the region 🗺️ during their journeys. The native people of would combine what they had been exposed to by these travelers with their preexisting traditions in a process known as .

This fusion is evident in the art of this unit, which is influenced by the region's exposure to , Mahayana (one of the branches of Buddhism), the , and even ancient . These concepts were no longer exclusive to a specific geographical area like the Arabian Peninsula, but could now be found in places like the Persian and Tibetan Empires in their own unique forms.

As a result of all these different influences, the art pieces we'll be studying in this unit will be quite different from each other in terms of religious influence, artistic influence, patron and context. , for example, takes inspiration from Chinese art, while The Basin (Baptistière de Saint Louis) gets its name from the European court it was used in. The diversity of influences on this region also leads the works from this time to have a diverse range of media, or materials used to create an artwork. In this unit, we'll see everything from massive statues to woven carpets.

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2F-SxMPYIzWhns3.JPG?alt=media&token=c88531f9-213c-4627-9423-3f3c5a2f0746

Image Courtesy of Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0). The extent of the Silk Road.

Summary of the Works

ArtLocationFormDate
, JordanCut rockc. 400 BCE-100 CE
Bamiyan, AfghanistanCut rock with plaster and paint400-800, destroyed in 2001
Mecca, Saudi ArabiaGranite covered in silk, gold, and silver631-632
Lhasa, TibetGilt metal with stones and paint641
Jerusalem, IsraelStone and wood decorated with ceramic and mosaics691-692
Great Mosque (Masjid-e Jameh)Isfahan, IranBrick, plaster, wood, and ceramic tile700-17th century
Possibly Syria or IraqInk and gold on parchment8th-9th century
Basin (Baptistière de Saint Louis)Either Syria or EgyptBrass inlaid with gold and silver1320-1340
Tabriz, IranInk and watercolorc. 1310-1340
Tabriz, IranInk, watercolor, and gold on paper1522-1525
The Ardabil CarpetProbably in Tabriz, IranSilk on wood1539-1540

And that's Unit 7! Hopefully, this guide will come in handy as you go through the AP Art History course, which, by the way, you're already 70% through 🎉. Happy studying, art historians!

Key Terms to Review (20)

Arabic language

: Arabic is a Semitic language spoken by millions across North Africa, Western Asia, and other regions. It has a rich literary tradition and serves as both a religious language (in Islam) and an official language in many countries.

Bahram Gur Fights the Karg

: This term refers to a famous scene depicted in Persian miniature painting where Bahram Gur, a legendary king, battles against a mythical creature called the Karg. The painting showcases the heroism and bravery of Bahram Gur.

Buddhas of Bamiyan

: Giant statues of Buddha that were carved into cliffs in central Afghanistan during the 6th century. Sadly, they were destroyed by the Taliban in 2001.

Cultural Exchange

: Cultural exchange refers to the sharing and blending of ideas, customs, traditions, art forms, and other aspects between different cultures through interaction and communication.

Dome of the Rock

: The Dome of the Rock is an Islamic shrine located on Temple Mount in Jerusalem. It is one of the oldest surviving examples of Islamic architecture and is significant to both Muslims and Jews.

Folio from a Qur'an

: A folio from a Qur'an refers to a single page of the Islamic holy book, which is typically written in Arabic calligraphy and decorated with intricate designs or illuminations.

Great Mosque (Masjid-e Jameh)

: The Great Mosque, also known as Masjid-e Jameh, is a historical mosque located in Isfahan, Iran. It is one of the oldest and largest mosques in Iran and showcases various architectural styles.

Greek culture

: Greek culture refers to the customs, traditions, and achievements of the ancient Greeks. It encompasses their art, architecture, philosophy, literature, and political systems.

Islam

: Islam is a monotheistic religion founded by the Prophet Muhammad in the 7th century CE. It is based on the belief in one God (Allah) and follows the teachings of the Quran, which Muslims consider to be the word of God revealed to Muhammad.

Jowo Rinpoche

: Jowo Rinpoche is a revered statue of the Buddha Shakyamuni located in the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, Tibet. It is considered one of the most sacred and important religious icons in Tibetan Buddhism.

Mahayana Buddhism

: Mahayana Buddhism is one of the major branches of Buddhism, originating in India around the 1st century BCE. It emphasizes compassion and the belief in multiple Buddhas and bodhisattvas who guide individuals towards enlightenment.

Persian Empire

: The Persian Empire was a vast empire that existed from approximately 550 BCE to 330 BCE. It encompassed territories in present-day Iran, Iraq, Egypt, Turkey, and parts of Central Asia.

Petra

: An ancient city located in present-day Jordan, known for its impressive rock-cut architecture and intricate water management system.

Silk Road

: The term "Silk Road" is often used interchangeably with "Silk Route." It refers to the historical trade routes connecting Asia with Europe through Central Asia. These routes were crucial for economic, cultural, and technological exchanges between different civilizations.

Syncretism

: Syncretism refers to the blending or merging of different cultural or artistic traditions, resulting in a new and unique combination. It often occurs when two or more cultures come into contact and exchange ideas, leading to the creation of something that incorporates elements from each culture.

The Basin (Baptistère de Saint Louis)

: The Basin, also known as Baptistère de Saint Louis, is a medieval Islamic brass basin used for ceremonial purposes. It features intricate engravings depicting hunting scenes and courtly activities.

The Court of Gayumars

: The Court of Gayumars is a famous Persian miniature painting from the Shahnameh, an epic poem. It depicts the mythical first king of Iran, Gayumars, surrounded by his courtiers and animals in a lush landscape.

The Kaaba

: The Kaaba is a sacred building located in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is considered the holiest site in Islam and serves as the direction of prayer (qibla) for Muslims around the world.

Tibetan Empire

: The Tibetan Empire was a powerful empire that existed from the 7th to the 9th century CE in what is now Tibet and parts of China, Nepal, Bhutan, and India. It played a significant role in spreading Buddhism throughout the region.

West and Central Asia

: West and Central Asia refers to the region that encompasses countries such as Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Uzbekistan. It is known for its rich cultural heritage, including diverse art forms and architectural styles.


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© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.